Dellums' presence as risky as his performance

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/31/9 | Chip Johnson

[SmithL]

The shooting deaths of four Oakland police officers have touched Oakland and the entire nation, and have also exposed the growing disconnect Mayor Ron Dellums has with the city he is supposed to lead.

Friday's public memorial service at Oracle Arena for Oakland police Sgts. Mark Dunakin, Ervin Romans and Daniel Sakai and Officer John Hege took on an unintended political tone when at least two families did not approve of Dellums' inclusion on a speakers list that included Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, state Attorney General Jerry Brown, and U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer.

Dellums' omission at an event of national interest was both a personal humiliation and the strongest public condemnation yet since taking office more than two years ago.

Friday's decision was made in deference to the officers' last wishes and with the support of their colleagues, but also served as a no-confidence vote from rank-and-file officers.

Those sentiments are shared by many residents and elected officials in Oakland. There is little disagreement among business leaders, residents and Dellums' elected colleagues that he has largely abdicated his duties and responsibilities as the city's leader.

Former state Sen. Don Perata said the events of last week have persuaded him to run for mayor in 2010.

"I wasn't trying to be coy (on a mayoral run), but this just galvanized it for me because you just can't stand there and do nothing," Perata said. "People know what I've done to ban assault weapons and other things I've done, so they ought to know that I'm running for mayor."

Perata, who attended the Friday memorial, said he was stunned by the decision to leave the mayor without a role in the service.

It was an awkward moment, but Dellums' failed performance, even his presence, has become a collective sore point

[sauropod]

Red Ron Dellums can go entertain himself.

[depressed in 06]

Red Zero could take a lesson.

[rahbert]

The Rat is running for mayor?

[Mac from Cleveland]

The most amazing thing, to me, are the people who are all of a sudden surprised at Dellums, or at the Oakland residents who are on the side of the perp—where have these people been the last 40 yrs?

I was disgusted by “Rev.” Wright last year, but certainly not surprised—there are plenty of other “churches” holding similar views—and notice that the pews were packed to the rafters with braying jackasses loudly agreeing.

Hell, Calypso Louie routinely sold out, all through the 80s and 90s, the DC Convention Center, The L.A. Forum, Cobo Hall in Detroit, and many other PUBLIC venues-probably still does.

[WarEagle]

Just shows the vast difference between being a Congressman (don't have to do anything but make speeches) and being a Mayor. This man doesn't seem to be able to perform any of the duties of this office.

I thought he would flop, simply because he's too used to having his a$$ kissed, being treated as the big kahuna, and doing nothing but running his yap and raking in campaign contributions.

Oh, yeah, I forgot palling around with Danny Glover and the Communist dictator flavor of the month.